Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
An international spiritual talk hosted by the Brahma Kumaris and featuring Australian spiritual teacher Mr Charlie Hogg last week drew scores of participants in Bulawayo as people gathered to reflect on inner peace, emotional wellbeing and meditation in a fast-changing world.
The event, titled “Awakening inner power and peace”, attracted attendees from different sectors including writers, journalists, creatives and members of the public interested in spirituality, mindfulness and positive living.
The programme forms part of the Brahma Kumaris’ global initiative promoting meditation, self-awareness, stress management and value-based living.
Addressing participants during the session, Mr Hogg said one of the major problems facing modern society was that people were highly informed about the external world but have limited understanding of their inner lives. He said this imbalance contributes to stress, confusion and emotional instability.
“Meditation is not just about relaxation,” said Mr Hogg. “It is about reclaiming control over our thinking because many people are driven by external events, opinions and constant mental noise rather than consciously creating their own thoughts and emotional state.”
He said genuine meditation allows individuals to step back from automatic reactions and begin shaping a more intentional and peaceful inner life.
A major theme of the discussion centred on identity and self-worth, with Mr Hogg arguing that many people suffer emotionally because they define themselves mainly through external labels such as profession, nationality, religion or social status. He said attachment to temporary identities often created insecurity, comparison and emotional instability.
“When I realise who I am, the mind naturally cools down and becomes peaceful because I stop living only through temporary labels and begin to experience a deeper sense of self-awareness and stability,” he said.
Mr Hogg also emphasised the importance of one’s relationship with oneself, saying emotional wellbeing begins internally.
“The first relationship in life is with me, and when that relationship is not healthy, it affects absolutely everything — how we think, how we relate to others and how we experience the world,” he said.
Reflecting on his earlier years, he shared experiences from his time as a student protester during the Vietnam War era in Australia, when he was arrested during demonstrations. He said the experience transformed his understanding of peace.
“You can never create peace until you experience peace, because if inner anger and frustration are driving you, even the message of peace becomes conflicted,” he said.
Mr Hogg added that many global challenges, including conflict, inequality and social tension, were linked to what he described as a “collective human mindset” shaped by fear, ego and emotional unrest.
He said meaningful societal change begins with individuals taking responsibility for their internal state rather than focusing solely on external systems.
The programme also featured guided meditation sessions, where participants were encouraged to sit in silence and reflect on thought patterns, emotional responses and self-awareness.
Organisers said the event seeks to help participants develop resilience, emotional balance and clarity amid growing social and economic pressures across the world.
